Fundraising for a cause is an essential function for many charitable organizations, local schools, churches, and other non-profits looking to better their community. It can be difficult to find the right way to fundraise – after all, there are plenty of options out there that have been utilized time and time again. Knowing which fundraising ideas will prove most successful isn’t easy; however, with these tips and suggestions by Gary Pryor on how to come up with the perfect fundraiser for your organization, you can overcome some of those obstacles. Keep reading on and find out what strategies you should use when organizing your next venture!
Gary Pryor Lists Fundraising Ideas: Come Up With The Perfect Fundraiser For Your Cause
1. Crowdfunding: Crowdfunded fundraisers are great for those who have an active online community and a strong story to tell, says Gary Pryor. This type of fundraiser allows donors to contribute whatever amount they wish (usually via credit card) as well as leave comments. With crowdfunding, you can set a goal that participants must meet in order to receive the money, or it will be returned. According to Statista, global crowdfunding revenues grew from $4 billion USD in 2012 to $10 billion USD in 2017. For example, The Wounded Warrior Project successfully raised over three million dollars online through crowdfunding donations.
2. Host An Event: A classic go-to fundraiser is hosting an event with tickets that people buy, such as auctions, dinners, carnivals, and more. This is a great way to get people involved in your cause and build a sense of community. Events are also an ideal opportunity for people to donate goods or services as prizes or auction items. For instance, the event “An Evening of Hope” hosted by the Helensburgh & Lomond Community Foundation raised over $90,000 through ticket sales, auctions, and donations.
3. Crowdsourcing: Crowdsourcing involves asking your supporters to share their own ideas for how best to raise money for your charity or cause. You can post online polls, surveys, or inquiries on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter, where participants can provide their suggestions and vote on others’ ideas. According to MarketWatch, crowdsourcing raised a record $34 billion in 2017. As an example, the Susan G. Komen Foundation used crowdsourcing to raise money for breast cancer research by soliciting ideas from individuals around the world and donating proceeds to those that received the most votes.
4. Sponsor A Challenge: This type of fundraiser is perfect for athletic or active events such as walk-a-thons, marathons, bike races, or obstacle courses where participants can ask family and friends to sponsor them while they complete their challenge. You can also offer incentives if they reach certain goals, such as a t-shirt or medal upon completion. The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event has been incredibly successful in utilizing this fundraising idea; since its inception in 1985, more than $5 billion has been raised worldwide.
5. Matching Donations: This type of fundraiser is also known as “challenge grants,” and they are a great way to encourage donors to give more by offering to match their contributions up to a certain amount or percentage of the donation. According to Gary Pryor, many companies have matching gift programs where they will match the donations made by their employees, which can double or triple the impact of each contribution. For instance, Microsoft’s giving program matches employee contributions at 50% up to $15,000 USD per year.
Gary Pryor’s Concluding Thoughts
Creating the perfect fundraising event or campaign for your cause takes time, effort, and creativity; however, with the right tools and strategy, says Gary Pryor, it can be incredibly effective in helping you reach your goals and make a real difference in the lives of those affected by your cause. Consider exploring all options available to you and doing research on what has worked for other organizations in the past. With dedication, hard work, and a bit of luck, you’ll be able to come up with the perfect fundraiser that will help make your cause successful.